The Roving Reporter

Paralympians post from Beijing

Posted by: Amy Reiter

Friday, September 5, 2008 6:39 PM

Via e-mail, the News-Gazette reached several University of Illinois Paralympians -- elite disabled
athletes competing in the international games that complement the Olympics -- in advance of the
2008 Beijing Paralympics. This week, look for complete interviews with the athletes and coaches on
this blog, in addition to our Saturday coverage.

First up: Adam Bleakney, a UI alumnus and coach, and a competitor in wheelchair track and road racing.
NG: When did you find out you would go to the Paralympic Games?
AB: The U.S. Trials were held in June. The team was selected based on performances at those trials.
NG: Have you been before?
AB: This is my third Games. I competed in Sydney and Athens.
NG: How did you train for them?
AB: Our training schedule follows a quadrennial pattern, so in truth, we began focusing on Beijing the day after the closing ceremonies in Athens.
NG: UI researchers are working to improve technology for Paralympic athletes. How did you help with the research?
AB: I, along with one of my athletes (Anjali Forber-Pratt), provided them with sport-specific expertise. Things like suggesting various aerodynamic configurations to test and more generally, basic technical information on the equipment and rules governing the equipment.
NG: How does it feel to have so many University of Illinois-affiliated people at the Games, including students you coach?
AB: I'm extremely proud to be a part of such a successful tradition.
NG: When did you arrive? Have you gotten to see much of Beijing?
AB: The track team flew into Beijing this past Tuesday, but we had been in Okinawa for a week of training. Naw, not much besides the athlete village and the interstate between the village and the airport.
NG: What do you think of the facilities?
AB: Amazing. The best I've experienced.
NG: What is the environment behind the scenes at the Games? Is there anything surprising so far?
AB: No surprises. Just a lot of folks working around the clock on anything and everything associated with the Games.
NG: Besides winning, do you have any personal goals for the Games?
AB: Seeing the athletes I coach succeed and feel good about their experience is my major goal.
NG: At what day and time will you compete?
AB: I start competing Monday night. Most of the UIUC athletes start on Tuesday morning.

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